Ohio lawmakers split as sweeping farm bill advances

6:57 AM,
Jan. 30, 2014

Written by

Deirdre Shesgreen
Gannett

Central Ohio lawmakers were divided Wednesday as the House approved a five-year, $500 billion farm bill that would eliminate direct payments to farmers, expand a crop insurance program and cut food stamps.

Supporters called the legislation imperfect, but said it would provide much-needed certainty for Ohio farmers and American consumers.

Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, a corn and soybean farmer and past president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, said the new crop insurance programs would provide a vital safety net for farmers, adding that the bill will help "ensure that we have a ...